After cluttering my home with loads of plastic controller-holding tat during the Wii era, I typically steer clear of this category of accessory, but the Mouse Mode Grips for Nintendo Switch 2 by Venom have broken a multi-generational abstinence.
As the name suggests, these controller grips are designed for use with the Joy-Con 2 mouse mode. In the box are two grips. Each grip is appropriately colour-matched for its relevant Joy-Con, offering a consistent experience with Nintendo’s first-party accessories.
Attached to each grip is a wrist strap, which I’ve removed. Thankfully, these are easy to detach, and anyone who remembers the Wii days will feel right at home doing so. I’m far less likely to launch these at my TV, after all.
The grips themselves are significantly more comfortable for my big man hands than using Nintendo’s official solution.
L/R is covered by the index finger, whereas ZL/ZR is covered by the middle finger. There is a side indentation for the remaining fingers to rest in. Players with smaller hands may find this beneficial, but for myself, I just rest my ring finger and pinky outside the alcove.
Having used the Joy-Con 2 strap included with my console, I found this inadequate as the Joy-Con 2 are prone to tipping over when gliding across a surface. That’s where the beefy base of the Mouse Mode Grips really shines. The Joy-Con 2 now feel stable, allowing confident movement in mouse mode.
I’ve been playing Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted in mouse mode, and had a great time doing so. Zipping around the Nintendo Switch 2 system software is also a breeze, but it’s playing Super Nintendo Entertainment System titles where I find the most use for the Joy-Con 2 mouse mode so far.
I was previously playing through Mario & Wario on my original Nintendo Switch with a USB mouse. While that experience was good, my biggest gripe was the inability to access the in-game menu to save my progress between sessions. Mario & Wario doesn’t support saving, after all.
Joy-Con 2 mouse mode technically doesn’t have a way of accessing the in-game menu, but Nintendo has built a neat trick into their implementation which I find truly game-changing (for me).
When you lift a Joy-Con 2 off a surface, it returns to the typical horizontal Joy-Con control scheme. Suddenly, the combo of ⊖ and ZL / ⊕ and ZR opens the in-game menu. Previously, I was keeping a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller nearby to access this menu, but being able to just use Joy-Con 2 for the whole experience is so much more convenient.
With upcoming titles looking to capitalise on mouse mode, such as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Stardew Valley, and unannounced titles like the inevitable Super Mario Maker 3, I’m sure I’ll get significant use out of this accessory for years to come.
While a solution like this can be 3D printed, I find the build quality and colour scheme of Venom’s product worth the investment.
If you’re in the market for something like this, look no further.
You can buy the Venom Mouse Mode Grips for Nintendo Switch 2 on Amazon UK. Unfortunately, these don’t appear to be sold outside the United Kingdom.
Disclaimer
I paid for this product with my own money.
Venom did not see this review before it was uploaded.
The Amazon UK link to this product is not an affiliate link.
You must be logged in to post a comment.